WHL’s Calgary Hitmen Tag-Team with Wrestling Legend for Special Edition Jerseys

The Western Hockey League’s Calgary Hitmen are once again tag-teaming with a local pro wrestling legend to knock prostate cancer down for the count.

On Thursday, the Hitmen announced plans for their second-ever Bret “The Hitman” Hart Game, to be held on Saturday, March 5, against the Edmonton Oil Kings. Those plans include special edition jerseys, the game-worn versions of which will be auctioned off after the game to raise funds for the Prostate Cancer Centre.

The jerseys are predominantly pink with designs on the sleeves and waist based off Hart’s wrestling gear from his heyday in the 1990s. The Hitmen’s alternate mask logo is front and centre wearing a pair of Hart’s signature wraparound sunglasses.

After the game, the Prairie Wrestling Alliance will put on “Battle of the Dome II,” a card of five matches with the ring set up on the Saddledome ice. Fans can also dress up as their favourite pro wrestler for a chance to win prizes.

The first Bret “The Hitman” Hart game was held on Nov. 2, 2019, also benefitting the Prostate Cancer Centre and featuring post-game wrestling matches. For that game, the Hitmen rolled out special jerseys with much the same design as the 2022 version, though they were predominantly black.

*The Hitmen’s Bret Hart Night jerseys from 2019. (Courtesy **HitmenHockey.com**)*

Hart was part of the Hitmen’s original ownership group in 1994, and was the inspiration behind the name and logo according to Wikipedia. The team was sold to the Calgary Flames in 1996, but Hart has maintained a close relationship with the Hitmen since, often participating in special events and jersey unveilings.